How To Apply Auto Touch Up Paint

Motorcraft Touch Up Paint Directions

by Alan Sembera

Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images

You can fix scratches in your Ford's exterior paint by using touch-up paint directly from Ford Motorcraft. Motorcraft sells touch-up pens designed to match the original paint on your vehicle. You can use them to cover any nicks, chips or scratches. These pens, which also have an attached brush, are designed to cover small areas. Larger areas may have to be painted with a sprayer to blend in with the original paint. Other manufacturers sell similar touch-up pens.

Step 1

Clean the surface with dish soap or wax remover to completely remove any wax or grease.

Step 2

Touch up any bare metal with Motorcraft lacquer primer. Allow the primer to dry for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Shake the paint can vigorously for one minute to thoroughly mix the paint.

Step 4

Unscrew the black cap. To use the paint pen, remove and discard the orange insert, then replace the cap. To use the brush, leave the cap off.

Step 5

Apply a thin coat of paint in one direction over the affected area. Let the paint dry for 30 minutes.

Apply more coats if needed until the paint blends in and the surface is even. Allow each coat to dry for 30 minutes before adding another.

References

Tips

If the pen tip clogs, turn the can upside down and tap on the bottom of the can until the paint flows out. If that does not work, soak the black cap in lacquer thinner.
If a scratch on your vehicle is only in the clear topcoat and does not penetrate the color coat, you can cover the scratch using the Motorcraft Clear Topcoat color.
Store and use the paint at room temperature to maintain the best color match.

Things You'll Need

Dish soap or wax remover

Warnings

Ford recommends against applying a clear topcoat over any Motorcraft color touch-ups because of possible darkening or other color shifts.
Do not apply the paint in direct sunlight.
Wait at least 24 hours before using a rubbing compound on the touch-up. Wait at least 30 days before applying wax.

Writer Bio

Alan Sembera began writing for local newspapers in Texas and Louisiana. His professional career includes stints as a computer tech, information editor and income tax preparer. Sembera now writes full time about business and technology. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Texas A&M University.